Indians Prospect Insider

One of the most exciting aspects of the offseason is reading all of the rumors and predicting where the top free agents will land. After a strong showing in 2012's free agent market, and a 2013 playoff run, the Indians could be in store for another exciting offseason. Join the IBI's Andy Nichols as he offers up his well thought out predictions on where all the top MLB free agents land. Would Dan Haren or Jess Crain interest you, Indians fans?

It's beginning to look like the slump Jesus Aguilar is currently mired in is not temporary as fatigue appears to be setting in. Him and AA teammate Carlos Moncrief each posted 0-for-4 performances. Meanwhile, Bryan Price and Tribe newcomer Colt Hynes each kept their scoreless streaks alive with shutout performances. The IBI's Arthur Kinney recaps all that and more as he goes Around the Farm.

The IBI Tribe Madness tournament pitting the 128 greatest Indians players of all time against one another in an NCAA basketball-like tournament continues with the results from the matchups in round one of the Jacobs Field Region. This region featured Tribe favorites such as Bob Lemon, Greg Swindell, Ken Keltner, Earl Averill, Kenny Lofton, Lou Boudreau and others.

The 2013 season saw two different Zach McAllisters pitch for the Cleveland Indians. There was the first-half version, who seemed to be well on his way to cementing himself as a rotation regular, and then the second-half version, who struggled to pitch late into games and seemed afraid to throw breaking pitches. So what can the Indians expect in 2014? Join the IBI's Steve Orbanek as he opines in the latest edition of Orbiting Cleveland.

The Arizona Fall League regular season ended on Thursday, although several Indians prospects still have one game to go since their Surprise team made it to the championship game to be played on Saturday. Will Roberts bounced back from a disastrous start on Saturday to put forth a good outing, and Carlos Moncrief is starting to hit his stride. The IBI's Tony Lastoria talks about that and more as he goes Around the Farm...

The IBI Tribe Madness tournament pitting the 128 greatest Indians players of all time against one another in an NCAA basketball-like tournament continues with the results from the matchups in round one of the Progressive Field Region. This region featured Tribe favorites such as Ray Fosse, Rick Sutcliffe, Elmer Flick, Bartolo Colon, Bobby Avila, Manny Ramirez, Ray Chapman, Sam McDowell, Shoeless Joe Jackson and others.

The Arizona Fall League (AFL) season ends today. It finishes up a five-plus week of extra games and development opportunities for several minor league players across all 30 major league organizations. For Indians second base prospect Joe Wendle, it was another opportunity to drive home his status as a legit prospect in the organization, and he has delivered.

Corey Kluber is the most interesting man in the world. Perhaps that is an overstatement, but his quiet, complex demeanor is so entirely appealing. The IBI's Michael Hattery takes a deep look into Kluber in the way that only he can by breaking down his performance in 2013 and why he ascended to a good starting pitcher option.....and gives his recommendation as to whether such performance is sustainable for 2014 and beyond.

The Arizona Fall League is coming to a close and a few players Jake Lowery and Tyler Sturdevant likely made their last appearances on Wednesday. Also, Jesus Aguilar's recent funk and Jose Ramirez's inconsistent performance continued. The IBI's Michael Goodman recaps all of that and more as he takes us Around the Farm...

The IBI Tribe Madness tournament pitting the 128 greatest Indians players of all time against one another in an NCAA basketball-like tournament continues with the results from the matchups in round one of the First Energy Region. This region featured Tribe favorites such as Tito Francona, Carlos Baerga, Albert Belle, Joe Sewell, Vean Gregg, Vic Wertz, Al Rosen and others.

The Cleveland Indians have a model that they've followed since John Hart left the Indians in 2001. This model has brought the club four 90-win seasons, but have failed to get the Indians to the World Series. Can this team take the next step, or will the follow the path of their predecessors, who failed to make the final moves to win the ultimate Prize. Join Jim Pete with his weekly stroll around the Corner of Carnegie...

Jake and Hayden are back on the air with their first offseason episode of Call to the Bullpen! Tonight, we congratulate Tribe skipper Terry Francona on winning the AL Manager of the Year award as well as discuss the latest rumors from the Hot Stove. Plus, the guys take a look at the BBWAA award winners thus far and preview the awards yet to be handed out. It's all coming up Wednesday night at 9:00pm ET!

We continue on with our year-end pieces for the Indians minor league affiliates as we wrap up High-A Carolina with a look at the pitchers. Recently, the IBI's Tony Lastoria had a chance to sit down with Indians Assistant Director of Player Development Carter Hawkins to get the organization’s thoughts on the performance/development of some of the pitchers at Carolina this season such as Cody Anderson, Shawn Morimando, Nick Pasquale, Joseph Colon, Louis Head, Jacob Lee, Benny Suarez, Owen Dew and more. Just under 15 pitchers are profiled.

The Arizona Fall League kicked of its final week of action on Tuesday and the Caribbean Winter Leagues continue to press forward. The IBI's Arthur Kinney recaps the happenings with all of the Indians contributors throughout the winter leagues in another edition of Around the Farm.

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona has been selected as the American League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association. He edged Boston's John Farrell and Oakland’s Bob Melvin who were also finalists for the award.

We continue on with our year-end pieces for the Indians minor league affiliates with a look today at the hitters at High-A Carolina. Recently, the IBI's Tony Lastoria had a chance to sit down with Indians Assistant Director of Player Development Carter Hawkins to get the organization’s thoughts on the performance/development of some of the position players at Carolina this season such as Francisco Lindor, Joe Wendle, Tyler Naquin, Tony Wolters, Bryson Myles, Jordan Smith and others. Over a dozen position players in total are profiled.

The question many have asked the past couple seasons has been is Justin Masterson an ace? After his breakout season in 2011, the Indians thought he could be, but 2012 saw him regress significantly. Now after the 2013 season, Masterson has reestablished his effectiveness as a top-of-the-rotation starter, but is he a legitimate ace? The IBI's Jake Dungan speculates in this week's Swinging for the Fences

The Arizona Fall League is wrapping up this week and Indians outfielder Tyler Naquin continued his strong showing in the AFL with a three hit game on Monday. Several other Indians were in action, and the IBI's Michael Hattery recaps all of it as he takes us on a trip around winter ball....

The IBI Tribe Madness tournament pitting the 128 greatest Indians players of all time against one another in an NCAA basketball-like tournament continues with the results from the matchups in round one of the Quicken Loans Region. This region featured Tribe favorites such as Tom Candiotti, CC Sabathia, Joe Gordon, Herb Score, Graig Nettles, Addie Joss, Stan Coveleski and others.

A year in the minor leagues can bring many surprises as players can struggle in some areas and succeed in others. It is the refinement in those strengths and the development of their weaknesses which determines the fate of most prospects, and for outfielder Tyler Naquin that is no different. The IBI's Tony Lastoria recently sat down with him and discussed his season, what he wants to improve, and what he ultimately needs to do to get to the big leagues.

Available IBI Books

The 2014 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider book featuring the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is now available. Also, previous editions from 2008-2012 are also available at a discounted rate. Just click on the book image for more information. Thanks again for all the support!